Vending machine



Feb; 3, 1953 c. s. BALAZ 2,627,362

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet J.

Feb. 3, 1953 Filed Dec. 28, 1948 ll h c. s. BALAZ VENDING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 3, 1953 c. sfBALAz 2,627,362

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 3, 1953 c.SMBALAZ 2,627,362

I VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1948 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb.3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE VENDING MACmNE Charles S. Balaz,Morris, Ill., assignor to The Northwestern Corporation, Morris, Ill.

Application December 28,1948, Serial No. 67,650

13 Claims. 1

'pense bulk merchandise heretofore have comprised a pedestal or standardcontaining a coin mechanism, an actuating mechanism and a dispensingmechanism; and a merchandise storage vessel usually comprising a glassglobe positioned in the top of the pedestal.

In the past these glass globes have been constructed with an opening atthe top through which the merchandise could be introduced to the globe.To remove the globe from the machine it was usually necessary topartially dismantle the pedestal, an operation which requiredconsiderable time and some skill.

In servicing these machines it was necessary for the operator, afterdismantling the machine and removing the glass globe, to remove theunused portion of the merchandise from the globe, clean the globe, thenreturn the globe to the machine, reconstruct the machine and refill thestorage globe. Since vending machines are often located in factoryareas, railroad stations and platforms and similar industrial locations,this method of servicing was definitely not only time consuming, butunsanitary in that an opportunity existed for admission of dirt andbacteria to the globe. Moreover. when the merchandise was poured intothe top of the globe often times it was contaminated or lost byspilling.

In those machines which did not use open-top glass globes, to refill themachine it was necessary to invert the entire machine before removingthe globe from the pedestal so that the contents would remain in thereceptacle.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide avending machine which will overcome all of the disadvantages set forthabove.

Another object is to provide a vending machine having a sanitarymerchandise storage cartridge which may be readily removed and replaced.

A further object is to afford a vending machine which will permitremoval of the merchandise receptacle without necessitating even partialdismantling of the machine. An object relating thereto is to afford alocking device Which will securely retain the merchandise receptaclecart- 2 ridge within the machine, but which will permit removal by asimple lever movement. 7 Still another object is to afiord aself-contained mechandise dispensing unit.

Yet a further object is to provide ajs'e'lf-contained removabledispensing unit which may also function as a closure member for themerchandise globe, and which may be readily attached to and removed fromthe globe.

Yet another object is to provide actuating means in a vending machine soconstructed that it may be readily coupled to or uncoupled from thevending mechanism without necessitating any dismantling or rebuilding ofthe machine.

And still a further object is to provide a vending machine having aremovable merchandise container and made up of self-contained andremovable units so that the servicing of the machine requires a minimumexpenditure of time and effort.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofthe structure may be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, Ihave-illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodimentthereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection withthe following description, my invention, its mode of construction,assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readilyunderstood and appreciated;

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled vending machines embodyingthe principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the vending machinepedestal interior, with the door removed showing some of the internalmechanism and a portion of the merchandise storage globe;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2, viewed in thedirection indicated and illustrating the mounting plate and globeretaining mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 in Fig. 2, viewed in theopposite direction and illustrating the merchandise wheel cup andactuating arm connection;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 2,viewed in the direction indicated and illustrating the merchandise wheelcup and part of the actuating arm transmission;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the separable actuating mechanismand transmission viewed from below the mounting plate;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 11 in Fig. 3, viewedin the direction indicated and illustrating a detail of construction ofthe merchandise wheel cup retaining and locking mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a merchandise globe for use inconnection with the vending machine, with a replaceable carrying coverattached thereto;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the merchandise dispensing and measuringmechanism; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line Ill-I0 in Fig. 9,viewed in the direction indicated and illustrating details of theresilient measuring and levelling device.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral I 0 indicates generallya vending machine consisting of a pedestal II having a merchandise globeI2 associated therewith.

The pedestal II comprise an outer housing I3 of generally rectangularconstruction including vertical walls I4, I5 and It with a bottom memherand a hinged door I1 closing the front thereof. The top of the pedestalouter housing I3 is left open so that the inverted globe I2 may befitted therein. The walls I4, I5 and I 6 are inwardly flanged as at I8.I9 and along the upper edges thereof. Likewise. a flange 2| is formedalong the top ed e of the door I1. These flanged portions I8, I9. 20 and2| cooperate with the glass globe I2 to afford an effective sealtherebetween.

A merchandise dispensing unit 22 comprising a I circular merchandisewheel cup 23 having a plurality of bayonet lugs such as 24 is provided.

' These bayonet lugs 24 permit the cup to be removablv fastened on theneck of the merchandise globe I2 so that the same may serve as a coverfor the merchandise receptacle, thereby affordine: a replaceablecartridge. The cup 23 is formed with a top portion 25 and a lowerportion 26 of reduced diameter. In the bottom of the cu 23 a centralopening 21 is formed, and adiacent thereto but separated therefrom. adispensing opening 28 is also provided. L-shaped, perforated retaininglugs 29 and 30 are aifixed as by welding to the o ter sur ace of thereduced diameter portion 26 of merchandise wheel cup 23 at diametricallyop osed positions. These retaining lu s may be formed ith short guidelegs 3| and 32. The function of these retaining lugs will become aparent as the descri tion proceeds.

The dispensing mechanism, which is rotatable within the cup 23,comprises a two-piece merchandise wheel 33 having a plurality ofadjustable dispensing openings such as 34. and having a central annularhub portion which may be defined by a depending circular wall 36. Withinthis hub 35 is provided a structure, which will later be described, thefunctioning of which is to afford a coupling with an actuatingtransmission shaft for rotating the merchandise wheel 33.

A stationary but removable resilient measuring and levelling device 31having brushes 38 and 39 is positioned over the merchandise wheel 33within the cup 23. As shown in Figs. 5, 9 and 10 in the drawings, thismeasuring and levelling device 31 comprises a metal gasket IIO havingintegrally formed, as by stamping, an inverted half-cup structure IIIoccupying approximately one-half of the central area of the gasket H0.The half-cup I I I in turn comprises a semi-annular upwardly projectingwall II 2, a front wall I I3 and a top I I4. The two groups of brushes38 and 39 are mounted in front of openings in the front wall II3 of thecup III at diametrically opposed positions, and may be aflixed as bybrackets I I4 and screws I I5.

In operation the merchandise wheel 33 is rotated by an actuatingmechanism (to be described in detail later) and revolves immediatelybelow the measuring and levelling device 31 which is stationary. Themerchandise fills the dispensing cavities 34 and as each filled cavitymoves beneath the brushes 38 and 39 proper measuring is accomplished bythe levelling off or skimming off of the excess merchandise. This actionalso insures agitation of the merchandise to prevent jamming withresultant injury to the merchandise. The entire assembly is retainedwithin the cup by a tubular rubber gasket 40 which may be readily fittedabout the periphery of the measuring device 31 within the cup 23. Thisgasket 49 also cushions the mouth edge of the glass globe I2 when thedispensing unit 22 is fastened to the globe.

When it is desired to insert the merchandise globe into the machine, themerchandise dispensing unit comprising the wheel cup 22 and thedispensing mechanism contained therein, i fastened over the mouth of theglobe I2 by means of cooperating bayonet threads and lugs 24. Thisassembled unit or cartridge is then inverted and placed within thepedestal and positioned and retained therein in a manner which will nowbe described.

A mounting plate M is affixed within the pedestal in a horizontal planeby means of brackets such as 42 and screws such as 43. This plate 4| isspaced from the top of the pedestal a distance suificient to permit themerchandise dispensing unit 22 to be placed therein. The plate 4|carries a structure comprising a novel mechanism for retaining themerchandise cartridge in locked position upon the pedestal II. At thefront edge of the plate 4| there is provided a pair of upstandingmembers 44 and 45 which may be integrally formed with the plate, as forexample by stamping and bending. These members 44 and 45 form standardsproviding support for a U-shaped lever 45 which has its free ends 41 and48 pivoted thereto as shown at 49 and 59 for swinging movement about thepivot points 5| and 52. These free ends 41 and 48 comprise arms whichcarry rods 53 and 54 having bent ends 55 and 56 pivoted thereto at thebottom portions as at 51 and 58, and arranged to reciprocate the rods ina plane substantially parallel with the plate 4 I. Lever 46 is furtherformed with a cross-arm 59 to the center of which a lever handle 60 maybe affixed as by welding, and the free ends of arms 41 and 48 may bebent inwardly as at 6| and 62 to afford motion-limiting means for thelever 46.

Perforated guide lugs 63 and 64 are provided upon said plate for thedual purpose of assuring entrance of the rods 53 and 54 into theperforations of the retaining lugs 29 and 30, and also to anchor thefree ends of rods 53 and 52 to the mounting plate 4|. A positioning lug65 is also provided near the rear of the mounting plate M to assist inguiding and properly positioning the dispensing unit 22 upon the plate4! for locking engagement therewith.

Thus, when it is desired to position and lock the merchandise cartridge,comprising the globe l2 and dispensing unit 22, within the pedestal, thecartridge is positioned so that the guide legs 3| and 32 of theretaining lugs 29 and 30 bear against the back of guide legs 63 and 64,and the rear of the cup 23 bears against the positioning lug 65. Thecartridge is then lowered until it rests upon the plate 4|, so that theperforations of guide lugs 63 and 64 are aligned with the perforationsof retaining lugs 29 and 3B. The operator then pushes down upon thelever handle 6-) swinging the lever about its pivot points 5! and 52.This reciprocates the rods 53 and 54 forwardly until the ends enter theperforations of the retaining lugs 29 and 30. The bottom of theretaining lug perforations may be positioned slightly above truealignment with the rods 53 and 54 to insure a slight bearingrelationship which will more securely lock the cartridge within thepedestal. To unlock the mechanism for the purpose of removing thecartridge, the operator merely pulls up on the lever handle Gil causingthe lever 46 to swing forwardly upon its pivot points 5! and 52 in theopposite direction. The rods 53 and 54 are thereby reciprocatedforwardly until they are withdrawn from the retaining lug perforations,and the cartridge may then be lifted out of the pedestal. The guide lugs63 and 64 may be slightly canted forwardly (Fig. 7) to permit readypositioning and removal of the cartridge.

To permit removal of the merchandise cartridge without necessitating thedisconnecting of any parts or partial dismantling of the machine, anovel actuating transmission mechanism has been developed. Attention isdirected to Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings. This actuating mechanismcomprises an actuating knob 66 which is mounted on the outer end of ashaft 61 which in turn is journaled through the pedestal door IT. Thisactuating knob 66 is controlled by a coin mechanism (not shown in thedrawings) which may be of the usual and ordinary type commonly employedin vending machines.

The shaft 6'! has a pin 68 rigidly secured to the inner end thereofforming bayonet points on opposite sides of the shaft. This pin 58cooperates with a U-shaped coupler 69 rigidly affixed to the outer endof a transmission shaft 10. The coupler 59 has its arms H and i2bifurcated as at 73 and M so that the pin 68 may be seated therein toconnect the shafts 61 and 10. Since the bifurcations i3 and M are open,the coupling is readily closed or broken by merely swinging the pedestaldoor I! to its open or closed position.

On the opposite end of the shaft 10 a pinion H is rigidly mounted forcooperation with a gear 12'. This gear is rigidly mounted on the bottomend of a stub shaft 13'. The opposite end of the stub shaft 13 ispositioned through a central opening in the mounting plate 4! and has apin 14, identical with the pin 68, rigidly-secured thereto and alsoforming bayonet points on opposite sides of this shaft. This pin l4cooperates with the previously mentioned structure provided within thehub 35 of the merchandise wheel 33 to complete the transmission of theactuating force which rotates the merchandise wheel to dispense themerchandise.

This final coupling structure comprises a depending knob 15 having atransverse slot I6 formed therein and a central opening 11 formedaxially therethrough. The slot 16 is adapted to accommodate therein thepin 14', and the opening 11 is adapted to rotatably receive the upwardlyprotruding end of the stub shaft 13'. Since this slot is also open thecoupling may be readily made or broken by merely lifting or lowering thecartridge with the merchandise wheel 33 attached thereto. To insurepositive action of the coupling the knob 15 may be formed with adepending wall 18,- bifurcated as at 19 and in alignment with the slot16.

To insure ready rotation of stub shaft 13' and to maintain gear 12 incooperation with pinion H, a bushing sleeve 8! may be disposed about theshaft between the gear and the mounting plate 4|. The upper end of thisbushing 8| may be rigidly secured within the central opening of theplate il as shown at 82 in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

A bracket 83 having perforated depending arms 84 and 85 is provided forrotatably mounting the shaft 1!! therein. This bracket 83 is affixed tothe bottom of the mounting plate as by spot welding at 35.

Although the gears H and 12' may be of the conventional type, foreconomy of manufacture the gears illustrated in the drawings arepreferred. The pinion gear H comprises a hub 8'! with gear teeth 88formed integrally at one end. The gear 72 comprises a hub 89 and a roundplate 90 with gear teeth ill formed in the marginal edges thereof. Theseteeth 9| are bent downwardly in a plane substantially perpendicular tothat of the plate 96 so that they may mesh with the pinion teeth.

A merchandise chute 62 is provided to permit the dispensed merchandiseto pass into the hands of the operator. This chute may be of anyconventional construction which will carry the dispensed merchandisedown from the dispensing opening and through a hinged dispensing cover93 provided in the door ll of the vending machine.

A removable coin box 94 is placed in the bottom of the pedestal ii, andis further provided with an opening 95 through which the coins ejectedby the coin mechanism (not shown in the drawings) may pass.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the merchandise globe l2,as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 of the drawings, it may be of substantiallyrectangular shape including a top 95, substantially vertical walls 91,98 and 9E and an inclined front wall H30. Near the bottom of the wallsan encircling shoulder it! is afforded by reducing the dimension of thewalls at that point. A bottom closure wall m2 is formed integrally withwalls 91', 98, 99 and IE0 and a circular bottie-neck m3 is centrallypositioned therein. When the globe is inverted and placed in the machinethe shoulder l0! cooperates with the flanges Hi, l5, l6 and 2| toprovide a substantially watertite seal.

Although a cartridge consisting of the globe I2 and dispensing unit 22may be utilized exclusively for replacement purposes, a carrying coverIM may be temporarily substituted for the unit 22 during the time thefilled globe is being transported to the site of the vending machine.The dispensing unit 22 which is at that time removed from the usedcartridge taken out of the machine may then be substituted for the coverI04 and this cartridge then inserted into the machine.

Finally a pedestal door locking device m5 is provided for locking themachine. The locking mechanism is entirely enclosed within the pedestalhousing, but may be controlled by insertion of the proper key within akey-hole I06 provided on the outside of the pedestal ll. Thus a singlelock may be used to close the entire machine including the merchandisestorage member, all of the mechanism and the coin box.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing without further description, and it should also be manifestthat while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In a coin-controlled vending machine comprising a pedestal containingactuating means and a dispensing chute and having a separablemerchandise storage cartridge mounted in said pedestal, a locking devicepositioned Within said pedestal and adapted to cooperate with saidcartridge to retain the same within said pedestal, said locking devicecomprising a lever and a pair of retaining rods adapted forreciprocation by said lever into and out of locking engagement with saidcartridge.

2. In a coin-controlled vending machine com prising a pedestalcontaining actuating means and a dispensing chute and having a separablemerchandise storage cartridge mounted in said pedestal, a mounting platepositioned within said pedestal having standards for pivotally mountinga locking lever, a pair of retaining rods pivoted to said lever andadapted for reciprocation by said lever to locking engagement with saidcartridge.

8. In a coin-controlled vending machine comprising a pedestal having anopen-topped housing and a pivoted swinging side door, an actuating knobmounted on the outer end of a shaft journaled through said door, saidshaft having a connecting pin affixed to the inner end thereof, amounting plate positioned within said pedestal in spaced relationshipwith the top thereof, dispensing means supported on said mounting plateand containing a rotatable merchandise wheel, a central dependingaxially drilled slotted knob integrally formed with said merchandisewheel, a transmission shaft rotatably mounted within a bracket beneathsaid plate, a bifurcated connecting bracket affixed to one end of saidtransmission shaft and adapted to cooperate with said connecting pin,and a pinion mounted on the other end of said shaft, a verticallypositioned stub shaft having a transmission gear aifixed to one endadapted to cooperate with said pinion, and a connecting pin affixed tothe other end thereof adapted to cooperate with said slotted knob forrotation of said merchandise wheel, a merchandise storage memberpositioned over and communicating with said dispensing means, and meansfor locking said storage member within said pedestal.

4. In a coin-controlled vending machine comprising a pedestal containingactuating means,

merchandise storage means and dispensing means, said dispensing meanscomprising a rotatable merchandise wheel contained within a cup-shapedhousing, a pair of perforated retaining lugs affixed to the side of saidhousing at diametrically opposed positions, a mounting plate positionedwithin said pedestal and supporting thereon said dispensing means, apair of standards positions at the front of said plate, a pair ofperforated lugs positioned on said plate for alignment with saidretaining lugs, a lever pivotally mounted on said standards, a pair ofretaining rods pivotally mounted at the ends thereof to said lever andadapted for reciprocation by said lever through said perforated lugs andinto said retaining lugs, and transmission means connecting saidactuating means and said dispensing means.

5. In a coin-controlled vending machine comprising a pedestal containingactuating means, merchandise storage means and dispensing means, saiddispensing means comprising a rotatable merchandise wheel containedwithin a cup-shaped housing, a mounting plate positioned within saidpedestal and supporting thereon said dispensing means, a lever operatedlocking device positioned on and afiixed to said mounting plate andadapted to cooperate with means provided on said cup-shaped housing toremovably affix said housing and storage means to said pedestal, andtransmission means connecting said actuating means and said dispensingmeans.

6. In a coin controlled vending machine having actuating means,dispensing means, a separable self-contained merchandise storagecartridge. and a pedestal; a reciprocating lever mechanism mounted insaid pedestal and adapted to associate said cartridge with saidpedestal.

.7. The vending machine of claim 6 in which said lever mechanism ismounted on a mounting plate positioned Within said pedestal.

8. The vending machine of claim 6 in which said cartridge is providedwith retaining lugs adapted to cooperate with said lever mechanism tolock the cartridge within the machine.

9. The vending machine of claim 6 in which said cartridge comprises amerchandise storage globe and a removable cover, said cover containingmeans for associating said cartridge with said actuating means.

10. The vending machine of claim 6 in which said cartridge comprises amerchandise storage globe and a removable cover, said cover containing amerchandise dispensing wheel and a resilient measuring and levellingdevice.

11. In a coin controlled vending machine having actuating means,dispensing means, a separable self-contained merchandise storagecartridge, and a pedestal; a reciprocating lever mechanism mounted insaid pedestal and adapted to associate said cartridge with saidpedestal, and a readily separable transmission mechanism connecting saidactuating means with said dispensing means, said mechanism separable atthe point of connection with said dispensing means.

l2. The vending machine of claim 11 in which said transmission mechanismcomprises a separable shaft disposed between said actuating means andsaid dispensing means, and a plurality of cooperating male and femalecouplers together with a stub shaft and a pinion and gear connectingsaid shaft to said dispensing means and to said actuating means.

13. The vending machine of claim 11 in which said transmission mechanismcomprises a plurality of shafts and gears disposed between saidactuating means and said dispensing means, and a plurality of separablecooperating male and female couplers connecting one of said shafts tosaid dispensing means and connecting at least 5 two of said shafts oneto the other.

CHARLES s. BALAZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 1 file ofthis patent:

10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Jacobs July 4, 1916Randell et a1. Nov. 1, 1921 Schermack Jan. 6, 1931 Rabkin Oct. 23, 1934Leasley Nov. 5, 1935 Simmons Sept. 6, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Country DateCanada Sept. 25, 1917

